To wish we had been completely wrong

[Wehttam]

Many of us were trying to warn people to mentally prepare for what was coming at the end of January, early February. Watching with horror at what was unfolding in China it was inevitable a pandemic was hurtling towards us like a freight train, only it was coming at 10mph and was still somewhere off in the distance. Nevertheless it was coming, and nothing could stop it. Any suggestion of this was met with accusations that we were revelling in the drama and being hysterical. The mention that it could linger in the air, was highly contagious and affecting millions was ludicrous and again we were berated and reported because what we said didn’t match the narrative from the news here in the UK.

We were sneered at and accused of scaremongering for even suggesting the possibility of a lockdown or that we would face living with this virus indefinitely. I think I can speak on behalf of all of those when I say we were hoping none of this would happen and that the sneers were for good reason, though this wasn’t meant to be.

This is now our new normality, a new world, again something I had posts reported for because it was a ‘fantastical’ ideology, that we were some frenzied lunatic fringe spreading conspiracy theories and talking about new normals as if we were disciples of David Icke.

How we move forward now will define our civilisation for generations, we are taking tentative steps towards a new set of rules and behaviours. What comes next no one can be sure of, it’s a new lifestyle we must learn to live in and accept. One day there will be a vaccine, a cure, a therapy, a way out. Until then, we carry on, stay safe.

Please do not label those with worries, fears and concerns as Dementors, yes I see those threads and frankly they are despicable and I am embarrassed for you that you openly mock those who have concerns, questions or fears about this virus. Your motivation for having to resort to name calling or compartmentalising us I will never understand, it says a lot about your character.

To those who were mocked, how do you feel now we are over the first wave? I am very relieved that society has stayed glued together for the most part, we are far more resilient than I first anticipated. The deprivation and societal impact will surely unfold as we go on, the economic damage will be immense, the mental health impact will be just as devastating.

I just wish in this instance I had been absolutely wrong and we would all be carrying on with life as I am sure everyone else does. I miss my family, interaction with people at work, being able to walk into a shop straight away and so much more.

People tend to fall into two categories - the ones who have the foresight to see the obvious fall out from a particular set of circumstances, and the ones who blindly blunder forwards assuming that everything will 'be alright' and who don't take stuff seriously until it hits them in the face. My family is made up of both types of people so I see this quite often.

This thread is like a dementors wet dream

😂😂

Indeed Drivingdownthe101 a very sad life thank you for your observation.

Aren't there forums for wannabe dystopian fiction writers?

Haven't rtft but have you included those people who accused people of being racist for being concerned about coronavirus and not ebola?

@wehttam you've been hysterical over dozens of threads & apparently knew more than the WHO about the virus.

As expected, you’ve all come out in force. 👋🏼

Why even bother posting, OP?

It sounds like because you can’t post ‘FFS stay at home’ at people anymore you’ve namechanged to start saying ‘I was right, HAHA’.

Except no one knows you from Adam, you’re a random on the internet, OP.

This:
"Drivingdownthe101 Thu 14-May-20 13:55:42
Have you even read people’s comments Wehttam? Can you recognise yourself as one of those who comes across as positively taking glee in it all? Because that is how you come across. I think you must have a very sad life."

Exactly, I really don't think the OP reads anything at all - just goes off on doom and gloom and delights in the doom and gloom - how sad to live life like that.

I feel sorry for the OP

Hah! You sound utterly horrific and I am so glad I don't know you in real life. Or anyone that remotely thinks like you.

Sadly for me this thread reminds me strongly of my mum, who displays all the traits of the OP and more in bucketloads.

In real life, it comes with this wanky plaintive 'misunderstood crusader for the good of humanity' tone that is a joy to hear .

I recognise your name OP. You also predicted a complete breakdown of society, with rioting in the streets and the government toppling iirc.

This OP feels very much like a self indulgent "see! told you so!" I believed there would be lock down, I welcomed it and I didn't sneer at anyone who predicted it. I did take issue with certain posters who seemed to be loving every minute of it though and said so at the time. This thread is just more of that.

Very disheartening to read some of the comments

Oh I'm so sorry. What were you after? A bit of online sobbing and people falling at you feet apologising for not being as terrified as you? Some kind of adulation for being the great and benevolent prophet you see yourself as?

I never commented on one coronavirus thread as I could see that there was something serious coming but spreading fear and panic was counterproductive. I'm happy to abide by current rules whilst looking forward to them being relaxed as they will be at some point.

I think the vast majority of people are in the middle like that.

As expected, you’ve all come out in force

You mean the people who disagree with you?
Maybe just think about why SO many people disagree with you and take issue with your post- self reflection is a very useful tool you know!

@dibble15 it’s not about knowing more than the WHO they just chose not to release the data accurately. Read the articles now about the WHO being accused of conceding to China’s insistence on hiding the true impact of the virus.

@easilyanxious it's remarkable isn't it!

Please do not label those with worries, fears and concerns as Dementors

I don't. Likewise, please don't label me as an idiot just because I'm not getting my knickers in a knot over the situation!

@AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter you’re probably right, I’m in the minority it’s clear as day to see. I’ll most definitely self reflect on the error in my ways. 😊

I wasn’t worried before and I’m still not. I’ve worked all the way through this at 3 sites. No one has had it and no one is worried. It’s only on here that people are panicking. I don’t see any fear outside in the real world

You got some things wrong though to be fair. I remember it stuck with me as one of the low points of the covid chat on here) you gleefully proclaiming that the “damn had burst” when one hospital ran low on oxygen. I don’t remember many individual posts from anyone but that was a real mask slip. You appeared utterly delighted.

I’ll most definitely self reflect on the error in my ways

Great! Glad to hear it. I'm sure you'll find life much calmer and easier to manage when you reduce panic and fear- they help noone.
I recommend CBT.

I’m in the minority it’s clear as day to see

Going on to threads mocking people for daring to hope they may get a holiday, or see their friends, or go swimming, or anything pleasurable... yes you’re in the minority and a bloody good thing too.

Surely your irritation would be better directed at the people who were dismissing all this as hysterical scaremongering earlier in the year, and are now going OMG WHY DIDN'T THE GOVERNMENT STOP THIS, EVERYONE LOCK DOWN FOREVER!!! Rather than the ones who didn't think the apocalypse was nigh in February and still don't now?

Or you could just not post about it at all, and stick to feeling quietly smug that you had the foresight to stock up on pasta and loo rolls. That's what I would do

You appeared utterly delighted

And that’s the point. You seem so utterly delighted at it all. That’s what you maybe need to reflect on.

I don't think that you were right particularly. I was like you in the early days - I was really scared. But now I admit I was wrong, things aren't as bad as we thought. Yes, very sadly, people have died. But society hasn't collapsed, people aren't lying dead in the street, hospitals are coping (some are empty in fact, and the nightingale hospitals weren't needed). There are no food shortages - ok, a few products were in short supply for a few weeks but no one went hungry, in fact most of us have put on weight ). So my stockpile wasn't needed.

What baffles me is the lack of critical thinking.

It's very easy (in hindsight) to say if we "locked down" in Jan, less lives would have been lost. However I would question how you would persuade a pop of 65m to do that so early, no-one has ever answered that to my knowledge.

The internet gives people the idea that their ramblings are somehow important.

Truth is OP, I didn’t see your posts and it wouldnt have made any difference if I had.
While you were wringing your hands and crying about the future, I was having a lovely time.

Now we’re both in the same situation. Only I had a lovely time and you didn’t

Now we’re both in lock down and I’m staying cheerful and optimistic. You’re terribly concerned about the new future.

You’re way of doing things looks shit to me - so sorry but no thanks.